Sleeve to aid natation



Dec. 21 1926.

G. EVANS SLEEVE TO AID NATATION Filed Oct. 22, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

- 5 BY Wa 2 M 7% ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 21,1926. 1,611,427

G. EVANS SLEEVE TO AID NATATION 7 Filed Oct. 22, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Fg 7. N

- INVENTOR. Ge'o/yr a/7s BYWMMM A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNHTE v GEORGE EVANS, OF REDQNDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

SLEEVE TO AID NATATION.

Application filed October 22, 1925. Serial No. 64,135.

This invention relates to a buoyant device for aiding in supporting the human body in water. More particularly, the present in vention appertains to a buoyant appliance designed to embrace a limb of the body of the wearer, such as an arm 'or leg.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide an inflatable appliance in the nature of a sleeve whereby the wearer may maintain himself afloat without difliculty. Heretofore, devices of this character designed to be attached to the torso have been pro vided. Such devices also have proven unsatisfactory as they hinder natural swim ming, the body being maintained too high in the water for effective progress. Thus, an experienced swimmer is hampered when using such devices and a beginner does not find himself in the condition to which he must afterwards accustom himself. This invention has for another object, the provision of a soft inflatable sleeve member adapted to be worn on the arm, which is not cumbersome, is light in weight, and does not interfere with the swimming efforts of the wearer. Broadly, the invention is of the same nature as that disclosed in my Patent 1,508,651, granted to me September 16, 1924. The appliance comprises a double wall tubular member which is preferably constructed of pliable member, such as rubber. Such an appliance is telescopable and may be inverted or peeled off the limb of the wearer without effort. The present invention has for a further object the provision of an appliance of the character described which hugs the limb of the wearer when inflated and cannot be peeled or rolled thereon. In addition to the broader objects of this invention there are certain details of structure which provide an economical, compact, easily applied and comfortably worn device.

These objects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments are obtained by means of the embodiments of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of one form embodying my invention deflated, a portion of the structure being broken out to better show the construction; Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the structure disclosed in Fig. 1 inflated and in position upon an arm, the latter being shown in a fragmentary manner; Fig. 3 is a section as seen on the line 3-3 of Fig, 2; Fig. 4 shows the device illustrated in the 'cated by 21. mounted in wall 17. The construction is 1 preceding figures applied to the arm; Fig. 5 shows another form of the appliance in deflated condition; Fig. 6 is a section as seen on the line 66 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the form of appliance shown in Figs. 5 and 6 applied to the arm of a wearer; Fig. 8 shows a still further form of the invention, the appliance being shown deflated; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the structure shown in F ig. 8, the appliance being inflated; Fig. 10 is a section as seen on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9; and F ig, 11 illustrates the last mentioned form of ap pliance applied to the arm of a wearer.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4-, inclusive, the appliance disclosed therein comprises two sleeve like walls 12 and 30 one nesting within the other. The walls are preferably made of rubber or like elastic material. The adjoining ends of the sleeves are joined so to form an inflatable cell. It is obvious that a single tubular member may be employed, and the member telescoped within itself, the adjoining free ends then being sealed. A valve 14 for inflating the sleeve is shown. The inner and outer walls 12 and 30 are secured together along a longitudinal line as indicated by 15. This prevents the inversion or peeling of the appliance from the arm, when inflated, as the inner wall cannot be rolled to form the outer wall by a simple peeling action. It will be noted that when the appliance is inflated, the inner wall is pressed against the arm so as to hug the latter and hold the appliance in position.

Referring more particularly to Figs, 5, 6, and 7, a modified form of structure is shown having pleats so as to provide larger air chambers without necessitating stretching of the outer wall. The inner wall 16 is of sleeve form and enveloping it is an outer member comprising corresponding walls 17 and 18 having curved outer edges. The curved edges are joined by pleat members 19 and 20. One of the walls is secured longitudinally to the inner sleeve as indi- A valve 22 for inflation is such that upon inflating the appliance, pleat members 19 and 20 distend and unfold so as to produce balloon-like chambers on diametrically opposite sides of the appliance. In Fig. 7 the appliance is shown applied to the arm.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 8

to 11, inclusive, an appliance is shown which is long enough to extend from the wrist of the wearer to his shoulder. The structure shown in Figs. 8 toll comprises an inner sleeve 23 and an outer sleeve 24. These sleeves form an enveloping chamber, but are secured to each other along longitudinal lines 25and 26 so as to form two cells, which are independent of one another so far as co1nmunication is concerned. This will require two valves indicated by 27 and 28, one valve for inflating each cell. The valves are positioned upon opposite sides at opposite ends to make it convenient for inflating the appliance from the mouth of the wearer.

The structures shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive may be changed so as to comprise a plurality of cells. Thus, if a cell is puncture'd or deflated the buoyancy is not totally destroyed and the appliance still hugs the arm of the wearer. Likewise, the structure shown in Figs. 8 to 11 may be changed to have pleats. The length of the appliance may also be varied. Various other changes in structure may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

hat I claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising two radially spaced walls of flexible sheet material joined to term a sleeve having an annular distensible space, an inlet means for inflation and deflation there of, said walls being attached to each other along an axial line to prevent inversion.

A device of the character described comp ising two axially spaced walls of elastic flexible sheet material joined to form a sleeve having an annular distensible space, said walls being attached to each other along an axial line to prevent inversion.

3.1%. device of the character described comprising two axially spaced walls of flexible sheet material joined to form a sleeve having an annular distensible space, said being attached to each other along a )lurality of axial lines to term a plurality of cells and inlet means for inflation and deflation of each o t said cells.

a. A device of the character described comprising two axially spaced walls of flexible sheet mat rial joined to form a sleeve having an annular distensible space, said vwalls being attached to each otner along a lift e the ends of the sleeves to prevent inversion.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed by name this l lth day of October, 1925.

GEORGE EVANS. 

